Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Could Improve Flu Vaccine Manufacturing

Recent research from North Carolina State University outlines how near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy could be used to make cell-culture-based flu vaccine manufacturing faster and more efficient. The researchers demonstrated the use of a NIR probe to measure the concentration of influenza virus in cells being grown in a bioreactor. “The NIR technique is faster, more accurate and more consistent than the standard method currently used to measure viral concentrations in cells,” says John Sheppard, a professor of bioprocessing science at NC State and corresponding author of a paper describing the work. “The NIR probe gives us close to real-time data on viral concentrations, whereas the standard method for measuring viral concentration involves a complicated process that can take an hour or more. “Getting data that quickly can help in a number of ways. It can tell vaccine manufacturers when the optimal time is to harvest the cells. It can help manufacturers develop a feeding strategy to optimize cell and virus growth. It can help detect potential problems with a batch more quickly. It could even allow the process to be partially automated.” Much of flu vaccine manufacturing is currently done using poultry eggs. However, this approach – first developed in the 1940s – has a number of drawbacks: the resulting vaccine can’t be used by patients with egg allergies; the lengthy manufacturing time and increased risk of mutations makes it more likely that the resulting vaccine won’t match the strains of flu virus facing the public; it is more susceptible to… [Read full story]